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Dragon Tiger

Introduction

Dragon Tiger is about as simple as gambling gets. It is basically a two-card version of baccarat. To be more specific, two cards are drawn, one to the Dragon and one to the Tiger. The player bets on which one will be higher. There are also some proposition bets on the individual cards. I have never seen the game, even in Macau, but the game is rumored to be found in Cambodia. It can also be played at online casinos using the services of , including Bodog.

Rules

Any number of standard decks can be used. For this analysis, I shall assume eight.

Cards are ranked as in poker, except aces are always low.

A single card is given to each of the Dragon and Player hands.

The primary bet is on which hand will get the higher card.

Other proposition bets are available, as explained below.

Bets

Dragon/Tiger

The Dragon and Tiger bets will win if the chosen hand gets the higher card. Ties lose half. The following return table shows a house edge of 3.73%.

Dragon and Tiger

Event

Pays

Combinations

Probability

Return

Win

1

39,936

0.462651

0.462651

Tie

-0.5

6,448

0.074699

-0.037349

Loss

-1

39,936

0.462651

-0.462651

Total

86,320

1.000000

-0.037349

Tie

The Tie bet will win if the Dragon and Tiger cards are equal in rank. Wins pay 8 to 1. The following table shows a house edge of 32.77% (ouch!).

Tie

Event

Pays

Combinations

Probability

Return

Win

8

6,448

0.074699

0.597590

Loss

-1

79,872

0.925301

-0.925301

Total

86,320

1.000000

-0.327711

Hypothetically, here is what the house edge would be on the Tie bet at various pays from 8 to 12 to 1.

Tie House Edge

Pays

House Edge

12

2.89%

11

10.36%

10

17.83%

9

25.30%

8

32.77%

Suited Tie

The Suited Tie bet will win if the Dragon and Tiger cards are equal in both rank and suit. Wins pay 50 to 1. The following table shows a house edge of 13.98%.

Suited Tie

Event

Pays

Combinations

Probability

Return

Win

50

1,456

0.016867

0.843373

Loss

-1

84,864

0.983133

-0.983133

Total

86,320

1.000000

-0.139759

Big/Small

The player may bet whether a particular card will be over or under seven. If the chosen card is exactly seven, then the wager will lose. Wins pay even money. The following table shows a house edge of 7.69%.

Big/Small

Event

Pays

Combinations

Probability

Return

Win

1

192

0.461538

0.461538

Loss

-1

224

0.538462

-0.538462

Total

416

1.000000

-0.076923

Suit

The player may bet on the suit of a particular card. Wins pay 3 to 1. However, if the chosen card is exactly seven, then the wager will automatically lose. The following table shows a house edge of 7.69%.

Suit

Event

Pays

Combinations

Probability

Return

Win

3

96

0.230769

0.692308

Loss

-1

320

0.769231

-0.769231

Total

416

1.000000

-0.076923

Advice

For the non-counter who must play, I would stick to the Dragon and Tiger bets since they offer the lowest house edge. Please note the odds are a lot better in baccarat. The counter will have no trouble noticing that the big, small, and suit bets would be highly countable.